Skip to main content

Buckle up!

By

Seemingly without build-up, the World Cup is upon us, and despite being a symbol of both football's corruption and the ills of humanity, I just can't help myself from being excited. The tournament has every chance of being, in footballing terms, one of the best yet. Players in peak fitness, form and rhythm, in-tournament travel virtually non-existent (remember the last Euros, 'sponsored by travel sores'), mild but not absurd weather and presumably very shiny facilities. We already know it's had a lot of money thrown at it (in all the wrong ways) and we can safely assume it will have everything thrown at ensuring it is presented positively. From a footballing perspective, its mouth watering.

I love football too much to boycott the tournament as a viewer or a blogger, but I am also mindful that others will look at me and people who share my views with disdain - blinkered, insensitive to the bigger issues at play, and generally being the gullible detergent in the sports-washing machine. For this reason I'm making it my pledge to use the tournament to learn more about these bigger issues, educate myself a bit so I can at least know and speak up, or even just make more informed choices in future.

A few resources that I'll go to, which might be of interest to others, include:

FIFA uncovered documentary on Netflix 

Amnesty low-down 

BBC summary 

Now I've shared those thoughts, it feels crass to launch straight into squad reviews and excitable pre-tournament predictions, so I'll sign off for now and share more through the week as I study up on the runners and riders.

This time around I am hoping that we may have as many as four contributors to the blog - doubling Stevey and my chances of making sense and calling things right.

Have a good week.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Arriving late at the far post...........

By
Well, out from behind a rock I come. Like Batman responding to the spotlight over Gotham, the sight of Alexi Lalas relaxing on ESPN's swanky new World Cup set spouting 'knowledge' of the beautiful game immediately triggered me into action. A personal excitement for me is the returning punditry on this side of the pond of one Roberto Martinez. 4 years ago, I listened to this polite young man with light enthusiasm....now I find myself hanging onto every word from Bobby Brown Shoes. A supremely classy guy, just hoping for the "and Neymar is close to signing, which is phenonemal (Bobby's most used word - quite impressive for a Spanish native) " Sooo, what have I missed so far (Brazil own goal aside).... - Roy Hodgson in old man sunglasses - An amazing lack of planning from team England organizing a friendly in Florida at 5pm in June and being surprised as a thunderstorm - Scapegoating of a key England player (Rooney) before a ball is kicked in anger - Overplay
2 comments
Read more

Stunning games and goals

By
Last night's games really lived up to their billing. Brazil and Chile was a great game - both teams going at it, the threat of goals ever-present and the threat of red cards also seemingly high. Chile looked the better team on balance, but the home advantage seemed to lift Brazil and they always carried a threat. The theme of course; one which is endemic across the tournament, is that neither defence looked very strong. In the end, the width of the post denied Chile in the shoot-out, as had the crossbar in the final minute of extra time. A really crappy way to go out of the tournament, but they can be proud of their efforts. Few will be disappointed to see Brazil still in the tournament, as things always go a bit flat once the hosts bow out. I'll also enjoy those anthems carrying on. If anything sums up England's utter failure in big competitions of late, it is the passionless mumblings we do in the anthems, which sets the tone for the game afterwards. The second game o
Post a Comment
Read more

Prediction time

By
Two great games today - a real South American affair. I really like Chile (and have money on them to get to the semi finals), but I was hoping they'd avoid Brazil at this stage. Almost an England v Germany mental block  - Brazil has beaten them every time they've met in the finals.  Think Chile will score, but a nervy (maybe even needing extra time) Brazil to win 2-1. As for the second game, 2-0 Colombia against the siege mentality of the Uruguayans. Feeling bad for the lunatic who likes to eat people doesn't detract from the fact they were undone by Costa. Rica when last without Chewy Luis. Liking the look of Colombia - could be a cracking quarter final vs Brazil
Post a Comment
Read more